Checking Your HVAC Unit.
Making sure that your HVAC filters are changed regularly is one thing that you always want to make sure is taken care of. They should be changed out at least every month or two. Your lease might even require you to maintain the filters. But, if it’s not in your lease, and your landlord isn’t on top of taking care of the filters, here are some really good reasons why you should still change the filters on your own.
You’ll Save Money on Utilities With Clean Air Filters
Your
HVAC
system is what keeps your home comfortable in each different season of the year. It’s a balance of air conditioning, heating, and ventilation, all working together efficiently. A big part of maintaining that efficiency is having a clean air filter.
The ventilation system is moving a lot of air throughout your home to operate effectively, pulling air into the ducts and pushing heated or cooled air out into your home. The filter keeps the allergens, dust, and other pollutants that are in the air from getting inside of the internal components of the furnace or air conditioner.
If the filters are dirty and clogged, those pollutants will start to build on the interior of the entire system, cause damage to all of those moving parts and blocking the airflow that’s vital for efficiency. Without the required air flow, the air conditioner and furnace will kick on more often and run for a shorter period of time, trying to maintain the desired temperature. And, all of that extra activity will increase the amount of energy that is being used. The combination of all of that inefficiency will result in higher utility bills.
You Won’t Be as Comfortable With Dirty Air Filters
Not only will dirty air filters increase your utility bills because the system is working so much harder, but your home still won’t be at a comfortable temperature. An efficient heating and cooling system is dependent on adequate air flow.
If the filters are dirty, the heating and cooling system won’t be able to get enough air circulation to perform at their best. Even though they are working harder to get the air that they need to operate, they won’t be able to generate enough air to adequately do their job. When the filters aren’t working effectively, your home won’t be as cool or as warm as you would like it.
The HVAC System Could Shut Down
If the filters aren’t changed on a regular basis, all of that gunk from the air that’s inside of the system will start to affect its operational performance. As more and more pollutants settle, things will start to malfunction. And, as the problems get worse, the system could eventually just shut down, leaving you without heating or air conditioning.
Even though you don’t own the system and aren’t responsible for the cost of any repairs, you are the one who will be inconvenienced the most if it fails to operate properly. And, nobody wants to struggle through a hot summer day without air conditioning. Keeping the filters fresh is the easiest way to make sure that everything stays up and running.
It’s Better for Your Health
One great thing about having a ventilation system with a clean filter is that it makes the air in your home much cleaner and safer. You really can’t take any chances these days, especially with the air that you breathe. There are so many germs, bacteria, and other contaminants in the air that clean filters can eliminate in your home. And, allergy suffers can realize the benefits of having clean filters getting rid of some of those allergens that are in the air.
Mold and Mildew
Another hazard caused by having dirty air filters is the potential for mold and mildew growth. An old, dirty filter lets polluted air get into the ducts where it will start to settle and accumulate. Then, it will start to get damp with the temperature changes, and that’s exactly the environment that mold needs to grow.
As the mold grows inside of the ducts, it will release spores that will be carried back out into your breathing environment. You’ll both be inhaling them and they’ll be landing on surfaces inside of your home. If they find moisture, the spores will start to grow into more mold.
The health issues commonly associated with having mold growing inside of your home is definitely not something that you want to deal with. Keeping your filters clean and changed out every few weeks will greatly reduce the risk of mold and mildew growth inside of your ducts.
Your Home Won’t Be as Clean With Dirty Air Filters
Proper air ventilation in your home not only keeps the air cleaner, but it also keeps furniture and other surfaces cleaner as well. The dust and dirt that you are constantly cleaning falls from the air, where it settles wherever it lands. A properly running ventilation system can eliminate a lot of that dust.
